A DAD says he is too afraid to return to his home after thieves pretending to be him had the locks changed and ransacked the flat.

Colin Daniel, 26, had been away from his flat, in Alice Arnold House, Bell Green, celebrating his and his girlfriend’s birthday when thieves carried out their audacious con.

They contacted Mr Daniel’s landlord, housing society Whitefriars, pretending to be him and claimed to have lost the flat keys following a night out.

A carpenter came and changed the locks and the new keys were handed to the thief who entered the fourth-floor flat and stole 50 DVDs, tapes, electrical gear and toys and clothes belonging to Mr Daniel’s 15-month old son Jacob.

When Mr Daniel returned to the flat it was unlocked and inside he found a letter saying the locks had been changed - at his request.

He then discovered his belongings had been stolen.

Mr Daniel said: “I just can’t understand why someone would go to that much effort just to nick what was left in my flat.

“It’s incredibly lucky I was in the process of decorating and the majority of my things were elsewhere. I was living out of my suitcase, but even that’s been nicked now. I’m not really bothered about what’s been taken – it’s what could have happened that’s scary.”

Now Mr Daniel is sleeping on his friend’s floor because he has been so shaken up by the incident and he’s asked to be moved to a new flat.

“It’s been horrible,” he said. “The worst thing is that the person who did this must have known that I was planning to spend a couple of days away from the flat.

"I’m not sleeping properly and I don’t feel like eating. It’s really messed with my head.

“I’ve rung Whitefriars and asked why they let someone into my flat without ID and all they keep saying is that it won’t happen again.

“That’s not good enough.”

Karen Iceton, assistant director for repairs at Whitefriars Housing, said: “This is a highly unusual case and we are currently working with police to assist them with the investigation. The necessary identification checks were followed and as a result, staff were satisfied that it was Mr Daniel requesting the lock change and receiving the keys after being let in to his property. We are regularly in touch with Mr Daniel directly about the situation, and will continue to keep in touch with him regarding his request for a move.”

A spokesman for West Midlands Police said: “We have received reports of a burglary at Alice Arnold House, Bell Green.

“It is being investigated as such and inquiries are ongoing to establish the identity of the person let in to the property.”